Candy Corn Fudge Coated Popcorn Monsters on a Stick!

Halloween popcorn balls became popular in the 1950's as a beloved homemade trick-or-treat snack. For this Instructable, I wanted to go a step farther. I decided to coat marshmallow popcorn balls similar to how they make caramel apples but using fudge as the coating. I drizzled them with chocolate and then decorated them with Halloween sprinkles, putting each on a stick! I added my thoughts and ideas as I was making them and ended up with these wonderfully spooky popcorn monsters on a stick! They are such fun treats to make and to eat. The fudge has a very unusual ingredient in it, special for Halloween......candy corn and lots of it! Since I had leftover candy corn fudge, I decided to form, cut and decorate that too, and I have included that in this Instructable. The monsters and the fudge are incredibly delicious! Here is how to make these tasty Halloween treats!

For the popcorn

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter plus 2 tablespoons, divided

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

10 ounces mini marshmallows

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

tools

electric pressure cooker with a lid

silicone spatula

12 cup bowl

1/2 sheet silicone baking pan or a 1/2 sheet baking pan covered with parchment paper

8 (1/4-inch wide) craft sticks

Set the electric pressure cooker to saute using high power.

Add coconut oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Allow to melt completely and start to sizzle.

Add popcorn kernels to the pot. Stir so that all of the kernels are spread out and coated with buttery oil. Place the lid on top. Popcorn will begin popping in about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the power off when 2/3 of kernels have popped. They will continue to pop but not burn.

Remove the lid. Carefully remove the pot from the pressure cooker. Pour the popped popcorn into the large bowl. Be sure not to add any unpopped kernels to the bowl.

Wipe out the pot and place it back in the pressure cooker. We will now use it to make the creamy marshmallow.

Set the electric pressure cooker onto the saute setting with low heat. Add the stick of butter to the pot and melt completely.

Add the salt and mini marshmallows to the melted butter, stirring often, until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Turn the cooker off and stir in the vanilla extract.

Carefully take the pot out of the cooker. Pour the popcorn onto the marshmallow mixture. Using the silicone spatula, fold in the popcorn until all the popcorn is evenly coated with marshmallow. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Form the popcorn into mounds about the size of a tennis ball using a 1 cup measure. Push a craft stick into the center of the coated popcorn. Carefully scoop out the coated popcorn with the stick from the cup using slightly dampened fingers. Place each mound on the silicone baking sheet. Give each one a little squeeze to remove any air space. Set aside while making the fudge.

Rinse any marshmallow mixture from the pressure cooker pot and from the spatula to reuse.

3 cups candy corn

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups white chocolate chips

14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

4 drops red food coloring

8 drops yellow food coloring

small spatula

Halloween sprinkles

5-inch by 10-inch silicone baking tray or a similar size baking pan

toaster oven size baking sheet

Add the candy corn, peanut butter, white chips and condensed milk to the pressure cooker pot on the saute setting using low heat. Cook and stir until the mixture is smooth. Turn off the heat.

Stir in 4 drops of red food coloring and 8 drops of yellow food coloring to intensify the orange color of the fudge.

Use the small spatula to pick up a popcorn mound from the baking sheet. Holding the stick, quickly spoon hot candy corn fudge over the popcorn, allowing excess to drip off. Sprinkle with some Halloween sprinkles. Set it back on the silicone baking sheet. Repeat, coating each popcorn mound with the fudge. Set aside or refrigerate while doing the next step.

I like the bonus of having leftover fudge. It tastes amazing and will make great little treats for family and friends. Using the silicone spatula, pour the remaining fudge into the silicone baking tray. Set it on the small metal baking tray for stability. Any similar size small baking pan will do. If the pan is not silicone, line your pan with wax paper or parchment paper so the fudge doesn't stick. Sprinkle with some Halloween sprinkles over top. Refrigerate the fudge until firm or over night.

Cutting board

French fry cutter (or sharp knife)

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

small scissors

reclosable plastic sandwich bag

microwaveable small bowl

spoon

Remove the block of fudge from the baking tray and place on a cutting board. Use the French fry cutter to cut the fudge in each direction, forming one-inch wavy-edged squares.

Place the chocolate chips in the small microwaveable bowl. Microwave at 70% power for 40 seconds. Stir with a spoon. Microwave again at 70% power for 40 seconds. Stir well. Continue microwaving at 30 second intervals, if necessary, until the chocolate stirs smooth.

Quickly spoon the melted chocolate into the resealable bag and seal. Using the scissors, snip a tiny corner from the bag.

Drizzle the chocolate over the coated popcorn mounds and the fudge. Sprinkle the chocolate with more Halloween sprinkles.

I remembered I had some candy eyeballs in my stash of assorted sprinkles. I then decided to make monsters out of my mounds of coated popcorn, adding 2 eyes to the front of each mound. I thought they were the perfect addition to make them cute for Halloween!

Here are some of the finished Candy Corn Fudge Coated Popcorn Monsters On A Stick! I am excited to share them and the fudge too!

If desired, you can cut plastic wrap to cover and wrap each monster and each piece of fudge! You can keep them in your freezer until you are ready to share them........or if you would like to sneak some for yourself! I already bought some more candy corn because I think these will all be gone before Halloween and I will make the monsters and fudge again! They really do taste amazing! I hope you give this recipe a try! Everyone will smile and enjoy them!